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Are you asking about hot springs that have been commercialized or hot springs that are still wild and require a hike? Which area of Idaho are you interested in? There are tons of hot springs around the state but the greatest concentration of them are north of Boise and into Central Idaho.
Syringaloid is quite right. And many of the more detailed USGS maps of the mountains/meadows around McCall, Donnelly, Riggins, and Grangeville will reference even many non-commercial hot springs.
Unfortunately (and not to sound like an exclusionary jerk), hot springs tend to be a well-kept secret among locals and friends said locals can be assured won't desecrate an area. Tourists have a nasty tendency to disregard the desire of locals and frequenters to keep our natural gifts sustainable. I'm not judging you, but those of us who grew up in the area enjoying its hidden natural gifts and watching them get publicized and destroyed have learned to guard that information. For my return someday, I'm hoping it remains guarded.
I'm by no means giving you a dead end. Hitting it off with some folk at a local haunt is a much better way to learn about hot springs, as that offers the opportunity to assess your character, and even more importantly, doesn't broadcast the info to any ol' browser who types in "Idaho hot springs" on a search engine.
And speaking of typing that in search engines, I'll show you that I'm a genuine conservation advocate (and not just some exclusionary jerk) with find #1 on Google, a good place to get started (though you may find mingling with locals much more rewarding in your search). I cringe that this information is so public, but what can I do? All Idahoans ask in return for this website is respect for our natural gifts:
Post some personal pictures before we tell you where the clothing optional ones are
LOL... yeah, I've enjoyed a few of those in my day, but I realized in my last visit to Vegas that my welcome at clothing optional areas may have expired about a year after I got a desk job. Glad I concluded that and built my resolve before my friends and I matched rounds at the bar.
Yeah, the vast majority are respectful and responsible, hence the reason so many of those springs remain great even after numerous substantial increases in publicity, along with population and construction.
Unfortunately, it only takes one group of jerks to trash an area. There are often volunteer efforts (organized and impromptu) to clean up the petty messes. Still, some messes are harder to clean or even see the warning signs. The worst offense is creating septic conditions in the springs. Depending on several aspects of each spring, this can have anywhere from negligible to lasting effects, and unless you've done scientific research on the particular spring and know all the variables and parameters, you can't bet on this.
Septic conditions can be created directly (yup... pretty dumb) or unintentionally (i.e., not getting far enough away from the spring, leading to runoff with irresponsible methods and even underground pollution via seepage in what is usually the responsible method). For hot springs without facilities, it is very important that people follow the same rules you follow for lakes, rivers, and streams (dig hole 6 in. deep, 6 in. across, 200 ft from water [~60-70 strides]). Even following the rules, when you dig the hole you should ensure that spring seepage isn't apparent in the soil. There's a LOT more water flow than what's visible on top. At 200 ft from surface water that shouldn't be an issue, but you never know.
That aspect of waste management is very important, but many urban folks scoff at it like bratty children. Ideally that issue won't even come up during the spring visit (obviously, you won't spend all day at a spring), but hey, s**t happens... it's a fact. I'm not saying the responsibility isn't annoying and tedious, but people who can't do their fellow outdoorsfolk that favor should stay near facilities, which do fortunately happen to be offered by many great hot springs.
It's hard to find a clean area now that doesn't have dozens of people already in it. You have to really pick and choose your times - weekdays during late fall, winter, and early spring would be the best bet for a springs with no one else around.
I blame the internet. Everyone knows these places should be kept secret. If you want to know, find someone who knows to take you.
It's hard to find a clean area now that doesn't have dozens of people already in it. You have to really pick and choose your times - weekdays during late fall, winter, and early spring would be the best bet for a springs with no one else around.
I blame the internet. Everyone knows these places should be kept secret. If you want to know, find someone who knows to take you.
Too late now.
I only gave in because the Internet had something. I can direct someone to a page, but if the Internet doesn't have a particular spring, they ain't hearin' it from me. There are still some springs off that list, and most tourists won't have time for the hike to find those without a friendly referral.
I agree, though, 'cause my last visit to Idaho wherein hot springs were part of the excursion was very unnerving. It doesn't take a radical environmentalist to comprehend the value of conservation, yet apparently some people have gotten so fed up with the environmental movement that they think lazy disregard is synonymous with righteous indignation. Others are just downright lazy/petty... nothing more.
You can even find litter at sites that have obvious bins and trash collection. For shame.
Last edited by stingraynm; 01-22-2009 at 09:15 AM..
My hubby likes the one in Elk Bend, heck of a climb but well worth it, and yes clothing is optional as my hubby found out last year.
Jadbad2004
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For my return someday, I'm hoping it remains guarded.
). I cringe that this information is so public, but what can I do? All Idahoans ask in return for this website is respect for our natural gifts:
Glad I concluded that and built my resolve before my friends and I matched rounds at the bar.
I've done my research
as my hubby found out last year.
